10 Things I Learned Via Missions

Life usually doesn’t fit into nice neat little lists, but that doesn’t keep me from trying. Welcome to my Tuesday 10, where I try to fit the messiness of life into a list of ten.

I have worked as a Missionary Associate with the U.S. Missions Department of the Assemblies of God for almost a decade. Crazy how fast that time has flown by! When I started I was incredibly focused on reaching those nearest me, with a singular, and often narrow-minded purpose. In the time since I have come to understand the remarkable value to be found by participating in missions on a greater scale. Here are some things I learned along the way.

1. Airplanes aren’t as bad as I once believed. I used to be terrified of flying.

2. I paid much better attention in Spanish class than my report card may have indicated.

3. God is not American. While I have instinctively known this for many, many years; both my time abroad and Gungör helped to reinforce the idea.

4. Nail + Foot = Terrible Pain

5. When you commit yourself to loving and serving others unconditionally, you will humble yourself to do just about anything.

6. Most Americans are spoiled self-entitled brats.

7. If it doesn’t fit in the bag, you don’t need it.

8. A 3 oz. bottle of shampoo/conditioner will last for at least twenty showers.

9. Worshipping in a multicultural international congregation that transcends language barriers is incredible!

10. No matter where I go, or how important my work there seems, it has always had a more profound impact on my own life than that of those I have tried to help.